The moderator's survival guide : handling common, tricky, and sticky situations in user research /
Donna Tedesco, Fiona Tranquada
- xxiii, 323 pages : color illustrations ;
Includes bibliographical references (pages 318-320) and index.
Machine generated contents note: Why we wrote this book Who this book is for What you'll learn One-on-one user research methods Language used in this book How this book is organized Sidebars and survival stories Companion website and videos pt. 1 Your Moderation Toolkit ch. 1 Moderation Matters: Power, Responsibility, and Style 1.1."Are they laughing at me?" 1.2. Power and responsibility 1.3. The session ringmaster Sidebar "Yes, and ..." 1.4. The science and art spectrum 1.5. Your moderating style 1.6. Effective adaptation Sidebar Tips for new moderators Survival Story "The chair's arms were too fixed and narrow" ch. 2 In the Trenches: Six Steps for Handling Situations 2.1. Take a moment to evaluate the situation before jumping to action Sidebar Using a pretext 2.2. Resolve any threats to physical safety 2.3. Verify that you're not causing or magnifying the situation Sidebar Learning to enjoy the silence 2.4. Check the participant's comfort level Sidebar Protecting participant rights Sidebar Setting context for your behavior 2.5. Use careful language and tone to probe on the situation and begin to resolve it Sidebar What not to say 2.6. Regain control to bring the session back on track Survival Story "I know what she needs" ch. 3 Mix and Match: Your Moderation Patterns Toolbox 3.1. Take responsibility 3.2. Clarify the task/question 3.3. Redirect the participant Sidebar The diversionary assist 3.4. Reassure the participant Sidebar Should you tell a participant that her feedback is helpful? 3.5. Build engagement 3.6. Disengage from the participant 3.7. Take a break 3.8. Shift the focus 3.9. End the session early 3.10. Choosing the best pattern for your situation Survival Story "The ground started to move" Survival Story "His frustration was clearly growing" pt. 2 Your Survival Guide ch. 4 Recruiting Mishaps: Participants You Weren't Expecting 4.1. Participant does not seem to meet a key recruit criteria 4.2. Participant either refuses to or can't do a key task 4.3. Participant has an unexpected physical feature 4.4. Participant is unfamiliar with the equipment 4.5. Participant has difficulty reading 4.6. Participant or others ask you to help Survival Story "An unexpected picture started to emerge" ch. 5 Participant Misconceptions: Not What the Participant was Expecting 5.1. Participant thinks that she is participating in a focus group 5.2. Participant doesn't want to be recorded or has other concerns 5.3. Participant has different expectations for the compensation 5.4. Participant brings you to a conference room or other space 5.5. Participant treats a contextual inquiry like an interview 5.6. Participant brings someone else to participate with her 5.7. Participant thinks the session is a job interview 5.8. Participant brings a child or pet to the session Survival Story "She was desperate for work" Survival Story "He refuses to leave" ch. 6 Some Guidance Required: Participants in Need of Shepherding 6.1. Participant is reluctant to say anything that negative 6.2. Participant does something you don't understand 6.3. Participant is not thinking aloud 6.4. Participant is not able to complete a necessary task 6.5. Participant ignores or pretends to understand your question 6.6. Participant not approaching workflow naturally 6.7. Participant does not have any negative feedback 6.8. Participant believes he has successfully completed a task 6.9. Observers are not engaged in the session Survival Story "She was so appreciative" ch. 7 Make it Work: Handling Technical Obstacles 7.1. Technical issues arise with your setup and/or equipment 7.2. Remote participant experiences difficulty joining 7.3. Facility loses its internet connection 7.4. Remote participant drops off the call 7.5. Prototype or product changes unexpectedly Survival Story "The lights seemed dimmer than normal" ch. 8 Is This Right? Responding to Uncertain Participants 8.1. Participant looks for affirmation 8.2. Participant asks for your opinion 8.3. Participant looks or sounds uncomfortable and/or nervous 8.4. Participant is self-blaming 8.5. Participant asks, "Did other people have trouble with this?" 8.6. Participant is unwilling or unsure Survival Story "She looked agitated" ch. 9 What's Going On? Recovering from External Interruptions 9.1. Participant is running late 9.2. Observers are loud and distracting 9.3. Participant receives a call during the session 9.4. Participant cancels or is a no-show 9.5. Observer unexpectedly interacts with the participant 9.6. Session interrupted accidentally by an observer or someone else 9.7. Session interrupted by someone the participant knows Survival Story "Too dumb' to yield meaningful results" ch. 10 Get on Track: Overcoming Momentum Blockers 10.1. Participant starts going on a tangent 10.2. Participant consistently focuses on irrelevant details 10.3. Participant does something very unexpected 10.4. Participant is slow or thorough 10.5. Participant gives vague responses to questions 10.6. Participant is difficult to hear or understand 10.7. You don't have time to complete everything 10.8. Participant struggles excessively with a task Survival Story "The request caught me off-guard" ch. 11 Take the Wheel: Guiding Wayward Participants 11.1. Remote participant is obviously distracted 11.2. Participant is distressed by a personal line of questioning 11.3. Participant insists that she would never do something 11.4. Participant is frustrated by the prototype's limited functionality 11.5. Participant seems annoyed at your neutrality 11.6. Participant does not seem to respect you or take you seriously 11.7. Participant becomes insulting or has an agenda 11.8. Participant becomes agitated by a product's usability issues Survival Story "I would have trusted my gut" ch. 12 A Delicare Touch: Addressing Sensitive Situations 12.1. Participant is extremely entertaining and friendly 12.2. Something personal, inappropriate, or confidential is visible 12.3. Participant is obviously distracted by external circumstances 12.4. Participant tells you something personal 12.5. Participant has a disconcerting or distracting physical attribute 12.6. You have to point out something potentially embarrassing 12.7. Participant seems upset 12.8. Participant has an unexpected disability or service animal Survival Story "My best option was to smile" Survival Story "You sure are pretty" ch. 13 Uncomfortable interactions: Responding to Awkward Situations 13.1. Participant curses or makes inappropriate comments 13.2. You know the participant, or the participant knows you 13.3. Participant knows an unexpected amount about you 13.4. Participant flirts with you 13.5. Participant does something awkward or uncomfortable 13.6. Participant makes a strangely specific request 13.7. Participant makes request during a site visit Survival Story "She lipped me ... big!" ch. 14 Safety First: Minimizing Emotional and Physical Distress 14.1. Fire alarm goes off or the facility needs to be evacuated 14.2.A natural disaster (e.g. earthquake, tornado) occurs 14.3. Participant starts to look ill or otherwise unwell 14.4. You begin to feel unwell while moderating a session 14.5. You notice a bad smell or have an allergic reaction 14.6. Participant seems to be drunk or stoned 14.7. Participant touches you 14.8. Participant's environment contains dangerous items 14.9. Participant is doing something illegal or threatening Survival Story "We didn't know much about them" Survival Story "I knew what it was like" pt. 3 Improving Your Skills ch. 15 An Ounce of Prevention: Avoiding and Mitigating Situations 15.1. Recruiting process 15.2. Your study plan 15.3. The product, space, and technology Sidebar Troubleshooting skills are a lifesaver 15.4. Your observers 15.5. Your technique Sidebar Your moderating "instincts" ch. 16 Sharpening Steel: How to Improve Your Skills and Help Others Improve Theirs 16.1. Working on your own moderating skills 16.2. Integrating tips and feedback 16.3. Giving feedback to other moderators Sidebar What to look for in a moderating critique 16.4. Spread your wings Appendices Appendix A What to Say Appendix B Preparing for a Successful Session Appendix C Resources
The Moderator's Survival Guide is your indispensable resource for navigating the rocky shoals of your one-on-one user research sessions. Inside, you'll find guidance for nearly 100 diverse situations (ranging from business-as-usual to tricky and sticky) that might occur during usability studies, contextual inquiries, or user interviews. As a moderator, you are responsible for the well-being of the participant, your study, and your organization. You must be prepared for anything that may happen, from your technology failing to the participant quailing. Use this guide to identify your best next steps, react appropriately, and survive any challenges that comes your way. Practical, field-tested, and actionable tips for what to do and say-and what NOT to do or say-in each situation. Key patterns and extensive examples to sharpen your approach to the commonplace and prepare you for the unlikely. Illustrative "survival stories" contributed by numerous professionals on the front lines of user research
9780124047006 (pbk.) 0124047009 (pbk.)
Commercial products--Testing. Computer software--Testing. User centered system design. Focus groups. Interviewing. Forums (Discussion and debate)